Heat forward Shane Battier took a turn as batman in the batting cage before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch Saturday at the Marlins-Phillies game at Marlins Park.

He hit several solid liners to left, including one near the fence.

"Winning an NBA title was a dream, This is a dream come true, taking BP," Battier said. "I was an aspiring major league baseball pitcher at one point. Then I grew 8 inches and hoops became my thing. But I've always loved baseball. To come out here and show I have warning-track power means a lot."

His pitch was a soft overhand toss that Logan Morrison had to reach high to grab.

The Michigan native said his first sports memory was of the Detroit Tigers' 1984 World Series championship season. Battier added that he plans to take his time celebrating his first title

"It took me 11 years to get an NBA title, so I'm going to enjoy this. My victory lap is going to be long and slow," he said.